I consider Mike Portnoy a drumming and song writing god. And with 11 minutes songs, all amazingly technical (Train Of Thought album especially) From start to finish he is still going strong. Thats an amazing ability to have. Plus i cant even get close to playing any of their songs. They aren't THAT hard, but I just cant remember how to do it haha. Ill get half way through and forget how to play it.

__________________
"I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell."

Ehh.. not a fan of Portnoy, or Dream Theater. IMO Dream Theater is an incredibly cheesy band, it's almost laughable. I fail to see how they are even in the same league as porcupine tree, tool ect;. They're music sounds like its the soundtrack for a Castlevania game.

On the subject of Portnoy, I actually think he is a entertaining drummer, I enjoy watching him drum (no matter how bad the music is.) He seems like he is enjoying what he is doing a lot. And seems very dedicated to his musical endeavors rather than trying to have the best chops around. but I think that he is overrated among the drumming press and his fanboys. I really don't think he innovated anything, and I almost never heard him play a musical situation outside of rock music. And did I mention his kit is ridicoulous? I wouldn't even want a kit that big. I enjoy watching him, but for listening pleasure he is just not my cup of tea.

Ehh.. not a fan of Portnoy, or Dream Theater. IMO Dream Theater is an incredibly cheesy band, it's almost laughable. I fail to see how they are even in the same league as porcupine tree, tool ect;. They're music sounds like its the soundtrack for a Castlevania game.

On the subject of Portnoy, I actually think he is a entertaining drummer, I enjoy watching him drum (no matter how bad the music is.) He seems like he is enjoying what he is doing a lot. And seems very dedicated to his musical endeavors rather than trying to have the best chops around. but I think that he is overrated among the drumming press and his fanboys. I really don't think he innovated anything, and I almost never heard him play a musical situation outside of rock music. And did I mention his kit is ridicoulous? I wouldn't even want a kit that big. I enjoy watching him, but for listening pleasure he is just not my cup of tea.

deep breaths, deep breaths, walk away and count to ten.

I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post.

I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post, I will not get mad at the this post.

Even though it's your own opinion...am I out of line?

I think he's a bit out of line. Dream Theater are some pretty damn good musicians--he apparently doesn't know.

Firstly, to say that Mike Portnoy has not innovated anything is just crazy. The man is one of the most influential drummers of this generation. I don't care how underrated, or overrated, you might think he is...but you can't argue with that.

Secondly, I truly do not understand why people think Mike Portnoy is overrated. I'd love to see anyone who hates on him play anything he does as consistently and cleanly.

I think it's more of the fact that has popularity has risen VERY rapidly, other famous drummer like Peart, Bonham and the great BR I think had a much steadier increase in popularity. Unless I'm wrong, not all of us were around during the early days of the great.

Firstly, to say that Mike Portnoy has not innovated anything is just crazy. The man is one of the most influential drummers of this generation. I don't care how underrated, or overrated, you might think he is...but you can't argue with that.

Secondly, I truly do not understand why people think Mike Portnoy is overrated. I'd love to see anyone who hates on him play anything he does as consistently and cleanly.

Well, I just don't see what Mike Portnoy innovated. The size of a kit? Anyone can have a big kit. And all because someone is influential, doesn't mean there good. Travis Barker is probably the most influential drummer of this generation. Is he really that good? No. And I don't have to play his music to criticize Mike Portnoy. I shouldn't force myself to play something I don't like.

The reason people think Mike Portnoy is overrated is that he is praised so much by the progressive/drumming community, while their are multiple progressive drummers that are much more advanced and versatile than Mike Portnoy. Given he has a knack for odd time signatures, but overall I feel his drumming lacks the texture and fluidity of other progressive drummers such as Gavin Harrison, Danny Carey, Neil Peart. I think their music their musical approach is much more mature than Mike Portnoy's. He can't solo like Neil Peart, He doesn't have the taste of Gavin Harrison, or the heart-pounding power and emotion of Danny Carey. So im left wondering, what makes Portnoy so special?

Well, I just don't see what Mike Portnoy innovated. The size of a kit? Anyone can have a big kit. And all because someone is influential, doesn't mean there good. Travis Barker is probably the most influential drummer of this generation. Is he really that good? No. And I don't have to play his music to criticize Mike Portnoy. I shouldn't force myself to play something I don't like.

The reason people think Mike Portnoy is overrated is that he is praised so much by the progressive/drumming community, while their are multiple progressive drummers that are much more advanced and versatile than Mike Portnoy. Given he has a knack for odd time signatures, but overall I feel his drumming lacks the texture and fluidity of other progressive drummers such as Gavin Harrison, Danny Carey, Neil Peart. I think their music their musical approach is much more mature than Mike Portnoy's. He can't solo like Neil Peart, He doesn't have the taste of Gavin Harrison, or the heart-pounding power and emotion of Danny Carey. So im left wondering, what makes Portnoy so special?

And I've heard enough Dream Theater to know I don't like it.

I have to say I agree with everything he said in this post. Every time I see that humongous kit I want to laugh. Put Simon Phillips on that kit and he'll melt your brain.

I hear he's a pretty cool guy though, so that counts for something.

__________________
Either you have a purpose behind your expression... or you don't.
JoJo Mayer

I think his playing was much better on earlier DT albums like Images and Words and Awake but his stuff on the Liquid Tension Experiment albums is definately the best he's played.
I think anyone whose heard "When the Water Breaks" would agree.

Well, I just don't see what Mike Portnoy innovated. The size of a kit? Anyone can have a big kit. And all because someone is influential, doesn't mean there good. Travis Barker is probably the most influential drummer of this generation. Is he really that good? No. And I don't have to play his music to criticize Mike Portnoy. I shouldn't force myself to play something I don't like.

The reason people think Mike Portnoy is overrated is that he is praised so much by the progressive/drumming community, while their are multiple progressive drummers that are much more advanced and versatile than Mike Portnoy. Given he has a knack for odd time signatures, but overall I feel his drumming lacks the texture and fluidity of other progressive drummers such as Gavin Harrison, Danny Carey, Neil Peart. I think their music their musical approach is much more mature than Mike Portnoy's. He can't solo like Neil Peart, He doesn't have the taste of Gavin Harrison, or the heart-pounding power and emotion of Danny Carey. So im left wondering, what makes Portnoy so special?

ok, i see that there two sorts of views on this... you either love him or hate him...

personally, i like Dream theaters music, and hold the view that they are all very skilled and competent musicians... however, i also hold the view that Portnoy, while he is a very influential drummer to many poeple, is not the messiah that a lot of people view him as.

however nobody on the forum should deny his abilities, because that isn't just...

I think his playing was much better on earlier DT albums like Images and Words and Awake but his stuff on the Liquid Tension Experiment albums is definately the best he's played.
I think anyone whose heard "When the Water Breaks" would agree.

That is such a cool song. I've been learing it and there are just some parts that are nuts

Guys, I recently just heard a Dream Theater song called A Change Of Season that are about 23 minutes long. I was just wondering, how would he be recording that song. Would he actually have some time to stop and record parts by part? And if he plays that song in a concert, will he play the whole 23 minutes song? BTW, he's a great influence to my metal/rock drumming!

I'm really taken with this guy. He's a solid groover who can execute complicated, artful stuff with with a rare kind of confidence that you can actually hear and feel. People will talk about him long after he's gone.

I'm really taken with this guy. He's a solid groover who can execute complicated, artful stuff with with a rare kind of confidence that you can actually hear and feel. People will talk about him long after he's gone.

I love Dream Theater. Every single one of the musicians is incredible. John Petrucci has one of the best guitar tones I've ever heard, not to mention his SICK riffs and solos (Under a Glass Moon anyone?). John Myung is an incredible bass player who plays exactly what is needed for each piece. Jordan Rudess adds another dimension to the sound of the music with his virtuosic keyboard playing. Last but not least, Mike gives his purely aggressive playing style to the sound of the music and gives it that extra punch!

I don't see why anyone could ever say Dream Theater isn't a good band. Cheesey? Maybe. But hey, who really listens to James LaBrie anyway? LOL!

Guys, I recently just heard a Dream Theater song called A Change Of Season that are about 23 minutes long. I was just wondering, how would he be recording that song. Would he actually have some time to stop and record parts by part? And if he plays that song in a concert, will he play the whole 23 minutes song? BTW, he's a great influence to my metal/rock drumming!

He will probably record it in parts. At concerts they play the whole thing.

Hey does anyone know if there are other books he has done besides "Anthology?" Ive played through that, and although it wasn't nearly as difficult as Rush, it was still alot of fun to play through.

I'm not sure. I know his dvds all have transcriptons of the songs he plays.
If you want to learn a fun and interesting groovy song then learn "New Millenium". I personally think it is Mike Portnoys most creative workhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwJhFzziSlU

Also some of Mikes best work is with Liquid Tension Experiment. Another Dimension is qite cool as well as a few others

I totally agree man! I recently saw him live, very recently and it was just amazing. He plays amazing things to the music and I just love how he something new or different to the previous song, I have to listen more carefully though. But I agree man. He plays to the music and the music plays him ;D hahahah!

Ok so I was gonna have this whole huge big long thing about a bunch of different things I read people saying about MP on the first several pages of this thread which was as far as I read, and I still am boiling over with different comments, but right now there's one thing I really really want to know: What size/kind of china cymbal did MP originally use on the studio recording of As I Am on the album Train of Thought? I'm talking about the intro part of the song, right before the tempo doubles. It's killing me and the one place that listed his cymbal setup from that album didn't specify which china cymbals were which (i.e. there was a list of cymbals on the side, then a diagram of the set, but without a way to correlate cymbals between the list and the diagram). Anyone who can tell me I will love you forever! K maybe not haha jk but I really need to know,

i always thought of Mike Portnoy as a kickass drummer. That was until i started drumming.
I can understand why many people idolize him, since he IS actually very good and plays in a band that bases its reputaton on instrumental prowess. Hoever, his musical ideas are, at least imho, very limited - especially regarding his drumming: there's a few signature licks he always uses, but those have been the same since they started. Also i feel that he lacks ability to play laid back "pop" oriented beats, like in his beatles project.What i like about his playing though is that he has absolutely amazing time when it comes to DT's music. Rock solid and machinelike sometimes. Plus, his kit (regardless of its size, wich i find pretty ridiculous) sounds awesome.

So generally he's a very good drummer with a major impact on music and drummers, and a pretty nice guy too.

I love his technique. I used to listen to all the "normal" stuff till I heard him. And it seems all I want to listen to is Dream Theater now. I have played for awhile, and most drummers have certain niches, or habits. Once you figure out what they are doing you can play it. I usually can play a song the 2nd or 3rd time I hear it, But his stuff takes weeks, months on some of it, just to figure out the numbers behind what he is doing.What drives me crazy is most people( non-players) look at me like Im crazy when I start to try to explain what he is doing. They are like, man he screwed that up, and Im like, No he just dropped a beat, He'll pick it up in a minute.His drumming has texture, all the normal stuff is boring now. Can anyone tell me of a comparable band, with all the technicality of DT?What do you guys think of Mike? Sorry if this is a repost.

i'd say a band comparable to dream theater would be between the buried and me. they're a progressive type metal band that sounds similar to DT in many ways. one big difference though is that BTBAM vocalist tommy rogers does both screaming vocals and clean vocals. they have songs up to almost 15 minutes long and their drummer, blake richardson, is very creative and has great technique and stamina.

here is a video split into two parts of him playing a song off their latest release "colors."

Just a short note here.
Listen to the riff in "descending" from the Sacrament album of Lamb of God...
And Voila!!!the same riff without any changes occurs in the song "in the presence of enemies-part 1" from the album Systematic Chaos.....
Sorry If i have repeated this post..
Mike is a great drummer.i love his approach to music.
And yeah,i cant imagine DT without Portnoy.....

I was watching some videos and does anyone think that hair down to his butt and a leotard was a good look?

When i tell people that Mike is one of my influences they always "so you want to buy a new truck just to carry around a drum kit", (or something along those lines) but i do admit that that thing is a "monster" but when you listen or see him play it does prove that the saying "great things can come in small packages", WRONG, He plays the drums with such great perfection and mastership that i would have to put up there with some of the great.

What's the name of your band, Cheezruff? Got any videos of yourself posted, blowing Portnoy out of the water?

I'm going to go on a little rant here, and I hope the mods won't take me to task. I'll try to be diplomatic.

I can't understand why, whenever any notable, successful drummer is discussed on this forum, there always has to be someone who says "he's overrated," or "I've seen better," or "he's not as good as so and so."

Is there ANYONE alive or dead about whom this cannot be said?

Those type of comments seem to me to be the product of a childish mind who can't engage in a discussion on any level above comparing the drummer in question to their present idol, whoever that is.

Drumming is not a competition, it is an art. And it's an art that Mike Portnoy has excelled at and in which he has carved out a stellar reputation as a professional drummer.

I think that any pre-pubescent critic who strides out here saying "over rated" should tell us exactly how HE is rated in comparison. And by whom. And according to what criteria.

Where is the "rating" Is there an official rating scale that Mike has to much of?
I would love to know why people say he is over rated,I really don't get it, overrated by who or what?

Or is it the fact that he has so many fans?

Look you can love him or hate him who really cares but the fact is DT has one of the most loyal fan basses you can find.

he never claimed to be well rounded and can do it all in any interview I have read or seen.

He is however the perfect drummer for the band he is in. Isn't that what all of us want to be?

And one more thing the man is a showman, he knows ho to work a crowd.

All these other drummers you say are better, I would bet if you asked Mike he would agree. Watch some interviews about his influences, he tells you as it is, where he stole his licks. He pay tribute to these player and bands all the time.

I have had the privilege to meet him and the rest of the band a few times as well as his wife and kids. They are great people as far as I can tell from my limited exposure to them.

Anyway, I have learned of 30+ years of playing it is not about who is faster or who is crazier or who has the best this or that. It is about what happen when the individuals come together as a group.

Mike Portnoy is one of the most influental drummers towards my drumming career ever.

I love his style of drumming. I remember my drum teacher when I was younger introducing his type of drumming to me and since them I'm hooked.

I don't care what you people say a lot of his drum may seem easy or not as technical as it could be. But I challenege you when your writting a song to come up with the ideas that he does come up with and that's a whole other story. He is one of the few drummers that has master interchanging time signatures in and out. He can easily warp and twist a song to change its feel instantly.

I began to truly take not of his genious in the song the Mirror. One of my friends who is a very talented guitarist pointed out that Pettrucci is littlerally playing the same notes over and over and again. The only thing that is changing the feel of the song is Portnoy's ability to weave in out of time signatures with ease.

I'm not sure. I know his dvds all have transcriptons of the songs he plays.
If you want to learn a fun and interesting groovy song then learn "New Millenium". I personally think it is Mike Portnoys most creative workhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwJhFzziSlU

Also some of Mikes best work is with Liquid Tension Experiment. Another Dimension is qite cool as well as a few others

Actually ive already learned that song lol. Its in the book i was speaking about. Im not sure if you will ever read this, but if you do could you tell me what songs he plays because i love playing play along songs, but most stuff is too boring and easy.

__________________"If they tell you no pain no gain... shoot them." -Jim Chapin

i'd say a band comparable to dream theater would be between the buried and me. they're a progressive type metal band that sounds similar to DT in many ways. one big difference though is that BTBAM vocalist tommy rogers does both screaming vocals and clean vocals. they have songs up to almost 15 minutes long and their drummer, blake richardson, is very creative and has great technique and stamina.

here is a video split into two parts of him playing a song off their latest release "colors."

Ehh.. not a fan of Portnoy, or Dream Theater. IMO Dream Theater is an incredibly cheesy band, it's almost laughable. I fail to see how they are even in the same league as porcupine tree, tool ect;. They're music sounds like its the soundtrack for a Castlevania game.

On the subject of Portnoy, I actually think he is a entertaining drummer, I enjoy watching him drum (no matter how bad the music is.) He seems like he is enjoying what he is doing a lot. And seems very dedicated to his musical endeavors rather than trying to have the best chops around. but I think that he is overrated among the drumming press and his fanboys. I really don't think he innovated anything, and I almost never heard him play a musical situation outside of rock music. And did I mention his kit is ridicoulous? I wouldn't even want a kit that big. I enjoy watching him, but for listening pleasure he is just not my cup of tea.

Dream Theater might not be your cup of tea, but how can you possibly be so hasty in denying the fact that the musicians within the band sit in the upper echelon? Is it not evident that Mike Portnoy has inspired a great number of musicians?--- so who is to say that his playing isn't innovative? Perhaps a person on a drum forum wishing they were in Mike's shoes?

Anyone who says that Portnoy can't groove hasn't heard of Transatlantic. In my opinion, it's some of the most tasteful drumming he's done in the past few years. So far, I haven't heard anything from that band that isn't perfection.

My favorite DT album is still Six Degrees, which also has some of my favorite drum sounds. And you can't say that the drumming on there isn't tasteful - I mean, if it's not tasteful, what else would YOU do to make it better?

I think some people will overhype MP, but I don't think it's all uncalled for. I mean, Dream Theater almost single-handedly brought progressive music back to the masses. And I think that alone deserves respect.

Anyone who says that Portnoy can't groove hasn't heard of Transatlantic. In my opinion, it's some of the most tasteful drumming he's done in the past few years. So far, I haven't heard anything from that band that isn't perfection.

Transatlantic is amazing I agree. I'm a very big fan of Morse and Portnoy when they get together. The Morse solo stuff is amazing as well. Transatlantic is one of my all time favorite bands. I hope they do reunite in the near future.